George Timothy Clooney (born May 6, 1961) is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. Clooney is also noted for his political activism, and has served as one of the United Nations Messengers of Peace. Though he made his acting debut on television in 1978, Clooney gained fame and recognition by portraying Dr. Douglas "Doug" Ross on the long-running medical drama ER from 1994 to 1999.